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College is going to be the best four years of your life.

Since my acceptance to Syracuse University in 2021, I’ve heard this time and time again. My family said it, my friends said it and practically everyone who knew I was leaving for college did as well. I used to believe it was true.

Now, with graduation only a few days away, I really hope these weren’t the best four years of my life.

If they were, then it seems like there isn’t much to look forward to.

The shared belief that college is a universal peak pushes us to make the most of our time and savor every day before it’s up. Simultaneously, devotion to this mantra makes graduation feel like impending doom instead of the start of something new.

After my last day of classes, I called my dad on my walk home. I tearfully admitted that I was terrified the end was so near. I told him I was worried I should’ve done more with my time in college. I asked him what to do now that the best four years of my life were ending.

“Gracie, I hope these weren’t the best four years of your life,” he said while laughing.

I was initially shocked by his response, but before I could question him, he explained.

He told me that while his college years were some of his favorites, he wouldn’t call them his best. He said that so many amazing things happened after college, like marrying my mom, having my sisters and I and meeting some of his closest friends.

His words made me wonder why we believe making memories must stop abruptly after graduation. I began to question why I felt so much dread for the future instead of optimism for a fresh start and the many opportunities to come.

It put the work I’ve done over the past four years into perspective. Thinking these were the best years of my life implied that the effort I put in toward building a future for myself was pointless. It dampened the memories and friendships I made. Instead of looking at my relationships and experiences with gratitude, I viewed them with sadness. I only focused on the fact that I didn’t have more time at SU.

Since that conversation, I’ve tried to reframe my thinking. I’m working on shifting that fear into excitement, the dread into optimism. I’m telling myself that even though these years were absolutely incredible, there are better ones ahead. The reason I worked so hard during my time here is because I want the rest of my life to be even better.

Coming to terms with the fact that I won’t be a college student forever hasn’t been easy. It’s been challenging to wrap my head around the fact that I won’t be returning to campus in August. But I’m slowly beginning to understand that even though I can’t make new college memories, the people I’ve met and everything I’ve learned here have prepared me to make more.

Graduation is a beginning, not an end.

Don’t go through college believing this is the greatest your life will ever be. Instead, enjoy yourself and work hard so when you graduate, you know the best is yet to come.

Gracie Lebersfeld is a senior majoring in selected studies in education and creative writing. She can be reached at gmlebers@syr.edu.

Published on May 4, 2026 at 11:13 pm